National Chimney Safety Week 2019

We just got done celebrating National Chimney Safety Week! As a company that prides itself on staying certified, educated, and up-to-date on it all, you can bet that this is a week we love to talk about, as it spreads the importance of annual inspections, regular repairs, and frequent sweepings.

Now, just because National Chimney Safety Week ended on October 5th, it doesn’t mean you still can’t keep learning about ways to keep your structure safer for use and out of harm’s way. The A-1 Chimney team would be happy to provide you with some great resources to reference, and we can set you up right with the care and preventative maintenance you need to get the most from your system all season long.

Ready to learn more? Great! Read below, then reach out to our experts today. We look forward to serving you soon!

Importance Of Hiring A CSIA Certified Sweep

One of the best ways to ensure your fireplace and chimney stay in tip-top shape is to hire a CSIA certified sweep to handle all of your maintenance and repairs. A sweep that is associated with the CSIA will have the training and expert knowledge necessary to spot any excess creosote or hidden damages, and they’ll know how to do the job as thoroughly as possible, so that nothing gets missed.

Scheduling Annual Inspections

Another important step in keeping your system functioning safely and efficiently is to schedule an inspection once every year. Some like to get this out of the way in the spring and summer months, while others wait until right before the start of their burning season. Either way, getting it done is important, and it will give your techs the opportunity to spot anything that could threaten the safety of your home and family.

Burn Smarter

How can you keep your chimney working well throughout the holiday season? Burn only seasoned wood. We know it’s tempting to throw trash into the fire, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas when you have an abundance of paper plates, old wrapping paper, and more, but this can contribute to excess smoke and creosote accumulation.

Along with this, burning unseasoned wood (or wood that has too much moisture still inside of it) can contribute to extra creosote deposits and increase your chances of experiencing a chimney fire. Don’t risk it! Only burn logs that are lightweight, darker in color, cut short, split at the end, and that make a hollow-sounding noise when smacked together – all of these signs indicate it’s well-seasoned and ready to burn!

Invest In Preventative Maintenance

Taking preventative measures ahead of time can save you time, money, and lots of stress down the line. This means investing in things like chimney caps, waterproofing, flashing, and more! Our team can help you out. Let our experienced, certified, and dedicated experts check things over and ensure you are set up right today!